Governance of Digital Transformation: As Observed in two Cases of Military Transformations

Juha Kai Mattila*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

The transformation of a modern socio-technical system is challenging. Notably, the digital transformation of an enterprise's business or operational model is an arduous journey toward success. Recent studies illustrate that 70% of business enterprise digital transformations fall short of their objectives. Without revenue-based performance indicators, the digital transformations of military organisations are, if possible, even more challenging. However, governance methods should assist in the complex transformation of interrelated features like human behaviour, business processes, information, data, and technology. Are they applied, and how feasible the standard Information and Communications Technology (ICT) governance methods are in supporting digital transformation in the defence sector? The paper studies how feasible the contemporary ICT -governance methods are for military organisations while executing digital transformation. The research implements the action research method since the researcher has participated in two journeys of military transformation. First, a review of these two cases shows the military utilisation of the governance methods and models. Second, the standard methods are reflected against the most challenging transformation problems to see if they could provide support. Third, the methods are challenged by the range of variety in complex system transformations to test their flexibility. Based on the research on two digital transformations, military enterprises seem to fall short in applying central ICT governance standards and methods. Therefore, they are not getting the best available support. Secondly, the contemporary governance methods do not address all the pain points in military transformation. Hence, the utilisation degree and transformation benefits are not well correlated. Thirdly, modern governance tools are inflexible in addressing various situations, transformation goals, and organisational maturity. In summary, the research surfaces some new gaps within the contemporary ICT governance toolbox when applied to the complex socio-technical transformation in the defence sector.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 18th European Conference on Management Leadership and Governance, ECMLG 2022
EditorsFlorinda Matos, Alvaro Rosa
PublisherAcademic Conferences and Publishing International
Pages300-309
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-914587-58-0
ISBN (Print)978-1-914587-57-3
Publication statusPublished - 2022
MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
EventEuropean Conference on Management Leadership and Governance - Lisboa, Portugal
Duration: 10 Nov 202211 Nov 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of the European Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance
Volume2022-November
ISSN (Print)2048-9021
ISSN (Electronic)2048-903X

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Conference on Management Leadership and Governance
Abbreviated titleECMLG
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisboa
Period10/11/202211/11/2022

Keywords

  • Action research
  • Complex socio-technical system
  • Digital transformation
  • ICT governance methods
  • IS management

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